Legend:

The design document dictates the design of the game. Game designers have pooled their efforts with the game’s historians to create a written description for every entity in the game. This written design concept is created with the purpose of directing the concept artist. The written design concept might refer to reference images to aid in visually describing the entity.[[BR]]

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1. '''Concept''' - Next, the written concept goes to the concept designers for their first draft. As with some things in the Art Department, there is no set limit to the number of revisions a concept designer will do to ‘get it right’. It is a hit or miss process guided by feedback from the lead until you get close or nail it on the head. Once a concept is deemed complete for the character, a front and side character design should be rendered to aid the modelers and textures.

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1. '''Modeling''' - Based on the concept or written description, a 3D model is then made fitting the concept as close as possible within the restraints of the modeling specifications found later in this document. The modeling process also includes unwrapping and exporting a uvw map for use by the texture artist.

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1. '''Texture''' - A skin (or texture) for the 3D model is then created. This may be created from scratch, using reference textures, or even utilizing the concept to make the best possible texture. Close attention is made to the texture to give it a worn and used appearance. Artificial shadows are created on the texture to fill in the details that a low poly mesh is not capable of doing. In some cases player color or transparency is used on the texture. In this case the alpha channel utilized to accomplish this. More details to follow later in the document.

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1. '''Rigging/Animation''' - Non-static models require rigging and animation. This is a complex process that is discussed in more detail in the Animation section.

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1. '''Export''' - Finally, the models and textures need to be exported and implemented into the game engine. TGA and BMP files are converted to DDS files (if not already exported as a DDS). DAE files are exported to the /mesh and /animation folders.

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1. '''Actor '''- Actor files are an XML file that defines the visual properties of an entity in the game. These actor files in essence are the glue that puts parts together. The file points and references the mesh, texture, and animations of a unit. They also specify object color, player color, and shadow properties. Any mesh or animation created won’t be recognized by the game engine unless it is referenced by an actor XML file.

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2. '''Concept''' - Next, the written concept goes to the concept designers for their first draft. As with some things in the Art Department, there is no set limit to the number of revisions a concept designer will do to ‘get it right’. It is a hit or miss process guided by feedback from the lead until you get close or nail it on the head. Once a concept is deemed complete for the character, a front and side character design should be rendered to aid the modelers and textures.

52

2. '''Modeling''' - Based on the concept or written description, a 3D model is then made fitting the concept as close as possible within the restraints of the modeling specifications found later in this document. The modeling process also includes unwrapping and exporting a uvw map for use by the texture artist.

53

2. '''Texture''' - A skin (or texture) for the 3D model is then created. This may be created from scratch, using reference textures, or even utilizing the concept to make the best possible texture. Close attention is made to the texture to give it a worn and used appearance. Artificial shadows are created on the texture to fill in the details that a low poly mesh is not capable of doing. In some cases player color or transparency is used on the texture. In this case the alpha channel utilized to accomplish this. More details to follow later in the document.

54

2. '''Rigging/Animation''' - Non-static models require rigging and animation. This is a complex process that is discussed in more detail in the Animation section.

55

2. '''Export''' - Finally, the models and textures need to be exported and implemented into the game engine. TGA and BMP files are converted to DDS files (if not already exported as a DDS). DAE files are exported to the /mesh and /animation folders.

56

2. '''Actor '''- Actor files are an XML file that defines the visual properties of an entity in the game. These actor files in essence are the glue that puts parts together. The file points and references the mesh, texture, and animations of a unit. They also specify object color, player color, and shadow properties. Any mesh or animation created won’t be recognized by the game engine unless it is referenced by an actor XML file.